EP0653719A1 - Electronic switch in particular for the detection of the presence of an IC card in a card reader - Google Patents

Electronic switch in particular for the detection of the presence of an IC card in a card reader Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0653719A1
EP0653719A1 EP94402456A EP94402456A EP0653719A1 EP 0653719 A1 EP0653719 A1 EP 0653719A1 EP 94402456 A EP94402456 A EP 94402456A EP 94402456 A EP94402456 A EP 94402456A EP 0653719 A1 EP0653719 A1 EP 0653719A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pusher
switch
card
switch according
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94402456A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0653719B1 (en
Inventor
Aurélien Carvalho
Alain Janniere
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ITT Composants et Instruments SA
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ITT Composants et Instruments SA
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Publication of EP0653719A1 publication Critical patent/EP0653719A1/en
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Publication of EP0653719B1 publication Critical patent/EP0653719B1/en
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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06KGRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0013Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers
    • G06K7/0056Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers housing of the card connector
    • G06K7/0069Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers housing of the card connector including means for detecting correct insertion of the card, e.g. end detection switches notifying that the card has been inserted completely and correctly
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06KGRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0013Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers
    • G06K7/0021Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06KGRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/06Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by means which conduct current when a mark is sensed or absent, e.g. contact brush for a conductive mark
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02Details
    • H01H13/26Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/28Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using compression or extension of coil springs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical switch.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a switch for detecting the presence of a card in a device for reading the information contained in the card, in particular an electronic memory card, of the type comprising a switch triggering member with which it cooperates the anterior transverse edge of the card perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the card.
  • Document FR-A-2,607,291 describes and represents an electrical connector for an electronic memory card of the type comprising an electrical micro-contact for detecting the position of the card constituted by an elastically deformable detection blade whose free end cooperates with the anterior transverse edge of the card which deforms it elastically to cause the opening or closing of the electrical contact as a function of the position of the card with respect to a support frame carrying the detection blade and carrying contact blades of a connector electrical connection with the conductive tracks of a card.
  • micro-contact for its realization, it requires integrating the micro-contact with the connector of the card reading device and the micro-contact cannot be the subject of an independent sub-assembly which can be integrated directly into the housing of the device. card reading.
  • the elastically deformable blade of the switch permanently exerts on the card a repulsion force which urges the card against its direction of insertion, the value of the repulsion force increasing substantially in proportion to the value of the path of introduction of the card into the reading device, the force of repulsion increasing further beyond the tripping position of the micro-contact if the card performs an additional stroke before reaching a fixed end-of-insertion limit stop.
  • this design does not make it possible to have a significant additional travel beyond the triggering position of the micro-contact because an excessive excess travel could risk damaging the elastically deformable blade and affect the sensitivity of the micro-contact.
  • the sensitivity of the switch given its arrangement in a card reading device, be sufficient to be compatible with the connection diagram of micro-circuit cards which requires that the switch changes state during the insertion of a card after the establishment of the electrical contact with the last conductive track of the card, and that it changes state again during the extraction of the card before the interruption of the electrical contact with the first conductive track on the card.
  • the invention is not limited to its application to the detection of the presence of a card in a read-write device.
  • the invention also relates to an electrical switch which can for example be used as a manually actuated push button.
  • such a push button is requested by its user to cause the implementation of an electrical function.
  • the user permanently holds the reading pencil and causes it to start up, for reading a bar code, by pressing with a finger, for example with his index finger, on a push button integrated in the reading pencil.
  • the end of the user's finger is therefore permanently in contact with the push button of the switch and it is desirable that in the depressed position of the push button, corresponding to the actuation of the reading pencil, the restoring force applied.
  • the push button is as low as possible so that prolonged use of the reading pen does not cause pain for its user.
  • the force at the start of the actuating stroke of the switch is relatively low, preferably zero, so that the user who holds the pencil in hand and who constantly exerts a slight stress on the push button , even at rest, does not suffer from the prolonged cooperation of the end of his finger with the push button.
  • the present invention aims to propose a new design of an electrical switch which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the invention provides an electrical switch comprising a trigger push-button which is slidably mounted in a switch box, a movable contact element which is linked to the push-button which cooperates with at least one fixed contact element carried by the box. of the switch, and elastic return means of the pusher towards a stable rest position whose value of the return force decreases when the actuating stroke of the pusher exceeds a predetermined value, characterized in that said predetermined value corresponds to the triggering of the switch.
  • an electrical switch 10 which is designed to be integrated in a device (not shown) for reading the information contained in an electronic memory card C.
  • the switch 10 is essentially constituted by a switch box 12 inside which is slidably mounted a pusher 14 which is capable of moving in both directions parallel to the direction I of insertion of the card C, the anterior transverse edge 16 cooperates with an actuating end 18 of the pusher 14 which projects outside the housing 12.
  • the housing 12 is a molded piece of insulating plastic material which comprises a central housing 22 which in particular receives the pusher 14.
  • the pusher 14 comprises an elongated body 24 whose lower face 26, considering FIG. 3, comprises two bosses 28 which are received in sliding in a groove 30 formed in the bottom 32 of the housing 22 and whose opposite axial ends 34 and 36 constitute the mechanical end stops of the pusher 14.
  • the drive end 18 of the pusher 14 projects from the housing 22 through a window 38 formed in the transverse face of the latter facing towards the front edge 16 of the card C.
  • the other end 40 of the pusher hereinafter called the trigger end and which is opposite to the actuating end 18 has a rounded profile which cooperates with the arched and convex central part opposite 42 of a helical spring 44 which is disposed in the housing 12 in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction for sliding the pusher 14, as illustrated in silhouette in FIG. 2.
  • Each of the opposite ends 46 of the spring 14 is received in a lateral housing 48 which extends the housing 22 of the housing 12 so that, at rest, the spring 44 occupies its stable cambered position illustrated in particular in FIG. 3.
  • the housing 22 Opposite the end 40 of the pusher 14, the housing 22 has a recess 49 in which the arched central part 42 of the spring 44 is capable of being deformed when the end 40 of the pusher 14 acts on it.
  • the body of the housing 12 carries two fixed electrical contact elements 50 and 52 which are arranged laterally on either side of the body 24 of the pusher 14.
  • Each fixed contact element 50, 52 is produced in the form of a folded metal blade, the free ends 54 and 56 of which protrude from the housing 12 to form connection and fixing terminals by welding on a printed circuit board (not shown) to allow mounting of the switch according to the technique of the flat transfer of the components.
  • Each fixed contact element 50, 52 has a contact tab 58, 60 disposed inside the housing 22 and which is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher 14 to form a ramp whose function will be explained later. .
  • the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 are partially embedded in the molded plastic body 12 of the switch.
  • the switch comprises a movable contact element 62 which is in the form of a carriage fixed to the underside 26 of the body 24 of the pusher.
  • the movable contact element 62 comprises a horizontal main plate 64 which has two holes 66 of substantially rectangular section which are crossed by the bosses 28 of the pusher 14 to link the movable contact 62 in translation with the pusher 14.
  • the movable contact 62 also comprises two elastically deformable electrical contact blades 68 and 70 which each extend substantially in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the fixing plate 64 and each of which is produced in the form of an elastically deformable beam.
  • Each contact blade 68, 70 is connected by one end 72, 74 to the plate 64 and extends longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the main direction of the body 24 of the pusher 14, to end in one end free contact 76, 78 slightly curved inwards which is capable of cooperating with a contact tab forming a ramp 58, 60 of the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 respectively.
  • the housing 12 of the switch is closed by a metal cover 80 which constitutes a cage fitted elastically onto lugs 82 formed on the rear lateral and transverse faces of the housing 12 and which are received in windows 83 formed in legs 84 of the metal cover 80 folded vertically downwards.
  • the rear tab 84 on the left when considering FIG. 3, is extended by a terminal 86 making it possible to complete the fixing means by welding the switch 10 on a printed circuit board and connect the cover 80 to the ground circuit so that it constitutes protection against electrostatic disturbances.
  • the switch illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a switch which is in the normally closed position, that is to say that, in the rest position of the pusher 14 which is biased by the spring 44 and in which one of the bosses 28 is bearing against the axial end 34 of the groove 30, the electrical contact between the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 is established by the movable contact 62.
  • the deformable elastic blades 68 and 70 are then in a pre-stressed position against the tabs forming ramps 58 and 60 of the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 and thus apply to the movable contact element 62, and therefore to the pusher 14, an elastic force tending to urge it in the direction of opening the contact and against the return force applied to it by the cambered spring 44.
  • FIG. 5 shows a first diagram D1 illustrating the value of the elastic return force applied to the pusher 14 by the cambered spring 44 as a function of the movement stroke of the pusher 14 between its rest position C0, the position C1 for triggering the switch, that is to say the position for opening the electrical contact, and the end position C2.
  • the second diagram D2 represents the value of the elastic force applied to the pusher 14 by the blades deformable 68 and 70 of the movable contact 62 between the rest position of the pusher and the open position of the contact C1 in which the blades 68 and 70 are no longer prestressed by the tabs 58 and 60 and no longer apply any elastic force to the pusher 14.
  • diagram D3 is the resulting diagram corresponding to the sum of the diagrams D1 and D2 which illustrates the value of the resulting elastic return force applied to the pusher 14 as a function of the movement stroke of the latter relative to the housing 12 between positions C0 and C2.
  • the value of the force resulting from the return of the pusher 14 is initially practically zero then passes through a maximum Fmax corresponding substantially to the tripping position C1 of the switch 10, then decreases rapidly to reach a residual value of lower threshold Fmin which corresponds to the residual value of the repulsion force applied by the switch 10 to the card C after the introduction of the card.
  • This residual repulsion force can be particularly low and its value is perfectly controlled by the choice of cambered spring 44.
  • the spring 44 resumes its arched rest position by gradually increasing the value of the restoring force which it applies to the pusher 14 as it approaches the position of switching then corresponding to the establishment of the electrical contact between the fixed contacts 50 and 52.
  • the pusher 14 has a trigger tab 88 which projects vertically through a longitudinal opening 90 of the cover 80 of the switch 10 so as to allow the arrangement of the latter under the plane of the card and to cause actuation of the pusher 14 by the cooperation of the front edge 16 of the card C with the tab 88 of the pusher.
  • the switch according to the invention can very easily be mounted according to the flat transfer technique and by an automatic machine for implementing this technique without requiring positioning. of the switch on a printed circuit board whose precision would exceed that of the positioning accuracy of the components by this type of machine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

The invention proposes an electric switch (10) of the type including a trip button (14) which is mounted slideably in a switch casing (12), a movable contact element (62) which is linked to the button (14) and which cooperates with at least one fixed contact element (50, 52) carried by the casing (12) of the switch, and means (44, 62) for elastically restoring the button (14) to a stable rest position, for which the value of the restoring force (F) decreases when the actuation travel (C) of the button (14) exceeds a predetermined value (C1), characterised in that the said predetermined value (C1) of the travel corresponds to the tripping of the switch. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un commutateur électrique.The present invention relates to an electrical switch.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un commutateur de détection de la présence d'une carte dans un dispositif de lecture des informations contenues dans la carte, notamment d'une carte à mémoire électronique, du type comportant un organe de déclenchement du commutateur avec lequel coopère le bord transversal antérieur de la carte perpendiculaire à la direction d'introduction de la carte.The invention relates more particularly to a switch for detecting the presence of a card in a device for reading the information contained in the card, in particular an electronic memory card, of the type comprising a switch triggering member with which it cooperates the anterior transverse edge of the card perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the card.

Le document FR-A-2.607.291 décrit et représente un connecteur électrique pour carte à mémoire électronique du type comportant un micro-contact électrique de détection de position de la carte constitué par une lame de détection déformable élastiquement dont une extrémité libre coopère avec le bord transversal antérieur de la carte qui la déforme élastiquement pour provoquer l'ouverture ou la fermeture du contact électrique en fonction de la position de la carte par rapport à un cadre support portant la lame de détection et portant des lames de contact d'un connecteur de raccordement électrique avec les pistes conductrices d'une carte.Document FR-A-2,607,291 describes and represents an electrical connector for an electronic memory card of the type comprising an electrical micro-contact for detecting the position of the card constituted by an elastically deformable detection blade whose free end cooperates with the anterior transverse edge of the card which deforms it elastically to cause the opening or closing of the electrical contact as a function of the position of the card with respect to a support frame carrying the detection blade and carrying contact blades of a connector electrical connection with the conductive tracks of a card.

Une telle conception d'un commutateur électrique de détection de la présence d'une carte présente plusieurs inconvénients.Such a design of an electrical switch for detecting the presence of a card has several drawbacks.

Premièrement, pour sa réalisation, elle nécessite d'intégrer le micro-contact au connecteur du dispositif de lecture de carte et le micro-contact ne peut pas faire l'objet d'un sous-ensemble indépendant pouvant être intégré directement au boîtier du dispositif de lecture de carte.Firstly, for its realization, it requires integrating the micro-contact with the connector of the card reading device and the micro-contact cannot be the subject of an independent sub-assembly which can be integrated directly into the housing of the device. card reading.

Deuxièmement, en position introduite de la carte correspondant à la position de lecture des informations contenues dans la carte, la lame déformable élastiquement du commutateur exerce en permanence sur la carte un effort de répulsion qui sollicite la carte à l'encontre de sa direction d'introduction, la valeur de l'effort de répulsion croissant sensiblement proportionnellement avec la valeur de la course d'introduction de la carte dans le dispositif de lecture, la force de répulsion augmentant de plus au-delà de la position de déclenchement du micro-contact si la carte effectue une course supplémentaire avant d'atteindre une butée fixe de fin de course d'introduction.Secondly, in the inserted position of the card corresponding to the position for reading the information contained in the card, the elastically deformable blade of the switch permanently exerts on the card a repulsion force which urges the card against its direction of insertion, the value of the repulsion force increasing substantially in proportion to the value of the path of introduction of the card into the reading device, the force of repulsion increasing further beyond the tripping position of the micro-contact if the card performs an additional stroke before reaching a fixed end-of-insertion limit stop.

Troisièmement, cette conception ne permet pas de disposer de course supplémentaire importante au-delà de la position de déclenchement du micro-contact car une course supplémentaire trop importante risquerait de détériorer la lame déformable élastiquement et d'affecter la sensibilité du micro-contact.Thirdly, this design does not make it possible to have a significant additional travel beyond the triggering position of the micro-contact because an excessive excess travel could risk damaging the elastically deformable blade and affect the sensitivity of the micro-contact.

Enfin, il est nécessaire que la sensibilité du commutateur, compte-tenu de son agencement dans un dispositif de lecture de cartes, soit suffisante pour être compatible avec le diagramme de connexion des cartes à micro-circuit qui impose que le commutateur change d'état lors de l'introduction d'une carte après l'établissement du contact électrique avec la dernière piste conductrice de la carte, et qu'il change à nouveau d'état lors de l'extraction de la carte avant l'interruption du contact électrique avec la première piste conductrice de la carte.Finally, it is necessary that the sensitivity of the switch, given its arrangement in a card reading device, be sufficient to be compatible with the connection diagram of micro-circuit cards which requires that the switch changes state during the insertion of a card after the establishment of the electrical contact with the last conductive track of the card, and that it changes state again during the extraction of the card before the interruption of the electrical contact with the first conductive track on the card.

Afin de remédier à ces inconvénients, il a déjà été proposé dans le document FR-A-2665027 une conception selon laquelle le bord transversal antérieur de la carte coopère avec un levier qui s'étend dans un plan sensiblement parallèle au plan de la carte et dont une extrémité coopère avec un organe de déclenchement d'un commutateur agencé sous la carte. Cette conception permet de supprimer l'effort de répulsion en position introduite de la carte et d'admettre une course supplémentaire importante mais le levier est un composant complexe à réaliser et qui nécessite de plus son intégration au cadre du connecteur du dispositif de lecture de la carte.In order to remedy these drawbacks, it has already been proposed in document FR-A-2665027 a design according to which the front transverse edge of the card cooperates with a lever which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the card and one end of which cooperates with a triggering member of a switch arranged under the card. This design eliminates the repulsion effort in the inserted position of the card and allows a significant additional stroke but the lever is a complex component to produce and which further requires its integration into the frame of the connector of the card reading device.

L'invention n'est pas limitée à son application à la détection de la présence d'une carte dans un dispositif de lecture-écriture.The invention is not limited to its application to the detection of the presence of a card in a read-write device.

L'invention concerne également un commutateur électrique qui peut par exemple être utilisé comme bouton poussoir à actionnement manuel.The invention also relates to an electrical switch which can for example be used as a manually actuated push button.

Dans certaines applications, un tel bouton poussoir est sollicité par son utilisateur pour provoquer la mise en oeuvre d'une fonction électrique.In certain applications, such a push button is requested by its user to cause the implementation of an electrical function.

C'est par exemple le cas lorsqu'il est intégré dans un crayon de lecture optique pour le déchiffrage d'un code à barres. Dans une telle application l'utilisateur tient en permanence le crayon de lecture et il provoque sa mise en marche, pour la lecture d'un code à barres, en appuyant avec un doigt, par exemple avec son index, sur un bouton poussoir intégré au crayon de lecture.This is for example the case when it is integrated into an optical reader pen for deciphering a bar code. In such an application, the user permanently holds the reading pencil and causes it to start up, for reading a bar code, by pressing with a finger, for example with his index finger, on a push button integrated in the reading pencil.

L'extrémité du doigt de l'utilisateur est donc en permanence en contact avec le bouton poussoir du commutateur et il est souhaitable qu'en position enfoncée du bouton poussoir, correspondant à l'actionnement du crayon de lecture, l'effort de rappel appliqué au bouton poussoir soit le plus faible possible afin que l'utilisation prolongée du crayon de lecture n'entraîne pas de douleur pour son utilisateur.The end of the user's finger is therefore permanently in contact with the push button of the switch and it is desirable that in the depressed position of the push button, corresponding to the actuation of the reading pencil, the restoring force applied. the push button is as low as possible so that prolonged use of the reading pen does not cause pain for its user.

Il est également souhaitable que l'effort au début de la course d'actionnement du commutateur soit relativement faible, de préférence nul, de manière que l'utilisateur qui tient le crayon en main et qui exerce en permanence une légère sollicitation sur le bouton poussoir, même au repos, ne souffre pas non plus de la coopération prolongée de l'extrémité de son doigt avec le bouton poussoir.It is also desirable that the force at the start of the actuating stroke of the switch is relatively low, preferably zero, so that the user who holds the pencil in hand and who constantly exerts a slight stress on the push button , even at rest, does not suffer from the prolonged cooperation of the end of his finger with the push button.

Il a déjà été proposé dans le document FR-A-2.468.197 une conception d'un interrupteur à bouton poussoir à élément élastique d'action rapide.Document FR-A-2,468,197 has already proposed a design of a push button switch with an elastic element of rapid action.

Les différentes conceptions proposées dans ce document permettent de faire de varier la valeur de la force de rappel exercée sur le bouton poussoir lors de la course d'actionnement de ce dernier, notamment en vue de conférer à l'utilisateur une sensation tactile de l'actionnement.The different designs proposed in this document make it possible to vary the value of the restoring force exerted on the push button during the actuating stroke of the latter, in particular with a view to giving the user a tactile sensation of the actuation.

Toutefois, les conceptions proposées dans ce document ne permettent pas de maîtriser avec précision l'ouverture ou la fermeture d'un contact électrique intégré au commutateur en un point précis de sa course d'actionnement du bouton poussoir.However, the designs proposed in this document do not allow precise control of the opening or closing of an electrical contact integrated into the switch at a precise point in its actuation stroke of the push button.

La présente invention a pour but de proposer une nouvelle conception d'un commutateur électrique qui permet de remédier aux inconvénients mentionnés précédemment.The present invention aims to propose a new design of an electrical switch which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose un commutateur électrique comportant un poussoir de déclenchement qui est monté coulissant dans un boîtier de commutateur, un élément de contact mobile qui est lié au poussoir qui coopère avec au moins un élément de contact fixe porté par le boîtier du commutateur, et des moyens de rappel élastique du poussoir vers une position stable de repos dont la valeur de la force de rappel diminue lorsque la course d'actionnement du poussoir dépasse une valeur prédéterminée, caractérisé en ce que la dite valeur prédéterminée correspond au déclenchement du commutateur.To this end, the invention provides an electrical switch comprising a trigger push-button which is slidably mounted in a switch box, a movable contact element which is linked to the push-button which cooperates with at least one fixed contact element carried by the box. of the switch, and elastic return means of the pusher towards a stable rest position whose value of the return force decreases when the actuating stroke of the pusher exceeds a predetermined value, characterized in that said predetermined value corresponds to the triggering of the switch.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la valeur de la force de rappel augmente puis diminue lors de la course d'actionnement en passant par un maximum correspondant au déclenchement du commutateur ;
  • les moyens de rappel élastique comportent au moins un ressort de rappel disposé entre le poussoir et le boîtier du commutateur et qui sollicite le poussoir vers sa position stable de repos ;
  • le ressort de rappel est un ressort hélicoïdal cambré disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier et qui s'étend selon une direction transversale sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement du poussoir dont une extrémité de déclenchement coopère avec la partie centrale convexe du ressort cambré ;
  • chacune des extrémités opposées du ressort est reçue dans un logement dont l'axe est incliné par rapport à la direction de déplacement du poussoir de façon à conférer au ressort une cambrure stable au repos dont la convexité est tournée vers l'extrémité de déclenchement du poussoir ;
  • le contact mobile comporte au moins une lame de contact déformable élastiquement dont une extrémité libre coopère avec l'élément de contact fixe et qui, dans la position de repos du poussoir, exerce une force élastique sur le poussoir opposée à la force exercée par le ressort de rappel ;
  • la lame de contact s'étend selon une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction de coulissement du poussoir et son extrémité libre coopère avec une rampe formée sur le contact fixe qui est inclinée par rapport à la direction de déplacement du poussoir ;
  • dans la position de repos du poussoir, l'extrémité libre de la lame de contact déformable élastiquement est en contact électrique avec l'élément de contact fixe de manière à appliquer au poussoir une force élastique opposée à celle qui lui est appliquée par le ressort de rappel ;
  • le commutateur présente une symétrie de conception par rapport à un plan médian passant par l'axe de déplacement du poussoir ;
  • le contact mobile comporte deux lames de contact déformables élastiquement agencées symétriquement de part et d'autre du corps du poussoir ;
  • pour la détection de la présence d'une carte dans un dispositif de lecture des informations contenues dans la carte, notamment d'une carte à mémoire électronique, une extrémité d'actionnement du poussoir fait saillie à l'extérieur du boîtier pour coopérer avec le bord transversal antérieur de la carte perpendiculaire à la direction d'introduction de la carte, le poussoir de déclenchement étant monté coulissant selon une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'introduction de la carte.
According to other characteristics of the invention:
  • the value of the restoring force increases then decreases during the actuation stroke, passing through a maximum corresponding to the tripping of the switch;
  • the elastic return means comprise at least one return spring disposed between the pusher and the switch housing and which biases the pusher towards its stable rest position;
  • the return spring is a cambered helical spring disposed inside the housing and which extends in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pusher, one trigger end of which cooperates with the convex central part of the cambered spring;
  • each of the opposite ends of the spring is received in a housing whose axis is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher so as to give the spring a camber stable at rest, the convexity of which is turned towards the trigger end of the pusher ;
  • the movable contact comprises at least one elastically deformable contact blade of which a free end cooperates with the fixed contact element and which, in the position of rest of the pusher, exerts an elastic force on the pusher opposite to the force exerted by the spring reminder;
  • the contact blade extends in a direction substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the pusher and its free end cooperates with a ramp formed on the fixed contact which is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher;
  • in the rest position of the pusher, the free end of the elastically deformable contact blade is in electrical contact with the fixed contact element so as to apply to the pusher an elastic force opposite to that which is applied to it by the spring of reminder ;
  • the switch has a design symmetry with respect to a median plane passing through the axis of movement of the pusher;
  • the movable contact comprises two elastically deformable contact blades arranged symmetrically on either side of the body of the pusher;
  • for the detection of the presence of a card in a device for reading the information contained in the card, in particular of an electronic memory card, an actuating end of the pusher protrudes outside the housing to cooperate with the anterior transverse edge of the card perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the card, the release button being slidably mounted in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of introduction of the card.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui va suivre pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant un premier mode de réalisation d'un commutateur réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention dont le poussoir coopère avec le bord antérieur d'une carte à mémoire électronique ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée du commutateur illustré à la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue éclatée et en section partielle par un plan vertical médian du commutateur illustré aux figures 1 et 2 ;
  • les figures 4A et 4B sont deux schémas illustrant les positions relatives du contact mobile par rapport aux éléments de contact fixes pour les deux positions principales de fonctionnement du commutateur ;
  • la figure 5 est un diagramme force-course illustrant notamment la valeur de l'effort de rappel élastique appliqué au poussoir en fonction de la course de déplacement de ce dernier ; et
  • la figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 illustrant un second mode de réalisation d'un commutateur réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a switch made in accordance with the teachings of the invention, the pusher cooperates with the front edge of an electronic memory card;
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view in partial section through a vertical median plane of the switch illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are two diagrams illustrating the relative positions of the movable contact with respect to the fixed contact elements for the two main positions of operation of the switch;
  • FIG. 5 is a force-stroke diagram illustrating in particular the value of the elastic return force applied to the pusher as a function of the displacement stroke of the latter; and
  • Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 illustrating a second embodiment of a switch made in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

On a représenté sur les figures un commutateur électrique 10 qui est prévu pour être intégré dans un dispositif (non représenté) de lecture des informations contenues dans une carte à mémoire électronique C.There is shown in the figures an electrical switch 10 which is designed to be integrated in a device (not shown) for reading the information contained in an electronic memory card C.

Le commutateur 10 est constitué pour l'essentiel par un boîtier de commutateur 12 à l'intérieur duquel est monté coulissant un poussoir 14 qui est susceptible de se déplacer dans les deux sens parallèlement à la direction I d'introduction de la carte C dont le bord transversal antérieur 16 coopère avec une extrémité d'actionnement 18 du poussoir 14 qui fait saillie à l'extérieur du boîtier 12.The switch 10 is essentially constituted by a switch box 12 inside which is slidably mounted a pusher 14 which is capable of moving in both directions parallel to the direction I of insertion of the card C, the anterior transverse edge 16 cooperates with an actuating end 18 of the pusher 14 which projects outside the housing 12.

Le boîtier 12 est une pièce moulée en matière plastique isolante qui comporte un logement central 22 qui reçoit notamment le poussoir 14.The housing 12 is a molded piece of insulating plastic material which comprises a central housing 22 which in particular receives the pusher 14.

Le poussoir 14 comporte un corps allongé 24 dont la face inférieure 26, en considérant la figure 3, comporte deux bossages 28 qui sont reçus en coulissement dans une rainure 30 formée dans le fond 32 du logement 22 et dont les extrémités axiales opposées 34 et 36 constituent les butées mécaniques de fin de course du poussoir 14.The pusher 14 comprises an elongated body 24 whose lower face 26, considering FIG. 3, comprises two bosses 28 which are received in sliding in a groove 30 formed in the bottom 32 of the housing 22 and whose opposite axial ends 34 and 36 constitute the mechanical end stops of the pusher 14.

L'extrémité d'entraînement 18 du poussoir 14 fait saillie hors du logement 22 par une fenêtre 38 formée dans la face transversale de ce dernier tourné vers le bord antérieur 16 de la carte C.The drive end 18 of the pusher 14 projects from the housing 22 through a window 38 formed in the transverse face of the latter facing towards the front edge 16 of the card C.

L'autre extrémité 40 du poussoir, appelée par la suite extrémité de déclenchement et qui est opposée à l'extrémité d'actionnement 18, présente un profil arrondi qui coopère avec la partie centrale cambrée et convexe en vis-à-vis 42 d'un ressort hélicoïdal 44 qui est disposé dans le boîtier 12 selon une direction transversale sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction de coulissement du poussoir 14, comme cela est illustré en silhouette sur la figure 2.The other end 40 of the pusher, hereinafter called the trigger end and which is opposite to the actuating end 18 has a rounded profile which cooperates with the arched and convex central part opposite 42 of a helical spring 44 which is disposed in the housing 12 in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction for sliding the pusher 14, as illustrated in silhouette in FIG. 2.

Chacune des extrémités opposées 46 du ressort 14 est reçue dans un logement latéral 48 qui prolonge le logement 22 du boîtier 12 de manière que, au repos, le ressort 44 occupe sa position stable cambrée illustrée notamment à la figure 3.Each of the opposite ends 46 of the spring 14 is received in a lateral housing 48 which extends the housing 22 of the housing 12 so that, at rest, the spring 44 occupies its stable cambered position illustrated in particular in FIG. 3.

A l'opposé de l'extrémité 40 du poussoir 14, le logement 22 comporte un évidement 49 dans lequel est susceptible de se déformer la partie centrale cambrée 42 du ressort 44 lorsque l'extrémité 40 du poussoir 14 agit sur celle-ci.Opposite the end 40 of the pusher 14, the housing 22 has a recess 49 in which the arched central part 42 of the spring 44 is capable of being deformed when the end 40 of the pusher 14 acts on it.

Le corps du boîtier 12 porte deux éléments de contact électrique fixes 50 et 52 qui sont agencés latéralement de part et d'autre du corps 24 du poussoir 14.The body of the housing 12 carries two fixed electrical contact elements 50 and 52 which are arranged laterally on either side of the body 24 of the pusher 14.

Chaque élément de contact fixe 50, 52 est réalisé sous la forme d'une lame métallique pliée dont les extrémités libres 54 et 56 font saillie hors du boîtier 12 pour constituer des bornes de raccordement et de fixation par soudage sur une plaque à circuit imprimé (non représentée) pour permettre le montage du commutateur selon la technique du report à plat des composants.Each fixed contact element 50, 52 is produced in the form of a folded metal blade, the free ends 54 and 56 of which protrude from the housing 12 to form connection and fixing terminals by welding on a printed circuit board ( not shown) to allow mounting of the switch according to the technique of the flat transfer of the components.

Chaque élément de contact fixe 50, 52 comporte une patte de contact 58, 60 disposée à l'intérieur du logement 22 et qui est inclinée par rapport à la direction de déplacement du poussoir 14 pour constituer une rampe dont la fonction sera expliquée par la suite.Each fixed contact element 50, 52 has a contact tab 58, 60 disposed inside the housing 22 and which is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher 14 to form a ramp whose function will be explained later. .

Les éléments de contact fixes 50 et 52 sont en partie noyés dans le corps surmoulé en matière plastique 12 du commutateur.The fixed contact elements 50 and 52 are partially embedded in the molded plastic body 12 of the switch.

Le commutateur comporte un élément de contact mobile 62 qui se présente sous la forme d'un chariot fixé à la face inférieure 26 du corps 24 du poussoir.The switch comprises a movable contact element 62 which is in the form of a carriage fixed to the underside 26 of the body 24 of the pusher.

A cet effet, l'élément de contact mobile 62 comporte une plaque principale horizontale 64 qui comporte deux trous 66 de section sensiblement rectangulaire qui sont traversés par les bossages 28 du poussoir 14 pour lier le contact mobile 62 en translation avec le poussoir 14.To this end, the movable contact element 62 comprises a horizontal main plate 64 which has two holes 66 of substantially rectangular section which are crossed by the bosses 28 of the pusher 14 to link the movable contact 62 in translation with the pusher 14.

Le contact mobile 62 comporte également deux lames de contact électrique déformables élastiquement 68 et 70 qui s'étendent chacune sensiblement dans un plan vertical perpendiculaire au plan de la plaque de fixation 64 et dont chacune est réalisée sous la forme d'une poutre déformable élastiquement.The movable contact 62 also comprises two elastically deformable electrical contact blades 68 and 70 which each extend substantially in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the fixing plate 64 and each of which is produced in the form of an elastically deformable beam.

Chaque lame de contact 68, 70 est reliée par une extrémité 72, 74 à la plaque 64 et s'étend longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement à la direction principale du corps 24 du poussoir 14, pour se terminer par une extrémité libre de contact 76, 78 légèrement incurvée vers l'intérieur qui est susceptible de coopérer avec une patte de contact formant rampe 58, 60 respectivement des éléments de contact fixes 50 et 52.Each contact blade 68, 70 is connected by one end 72, 74 to the plate 64 and extends longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the main direction of the body 24 of the pusher 14, to end in one end free contact 76, 78 slightly curved inwards which is capable of cooperating with a contact tab forming a ramp 58, 60 of the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 respectively.

Le boîtier 12 du commutateur dont la face supérieure est ouverte est fermé par un couvercle 80 en métal qui constitue une cage emboîtée élastiquement sur des ergots 82 formés sur les faces latérales et transversale arrière du boîtier 12 et qui sont reçues dans des fenêtres 83 formées dans des pattes 84 du couvercle métallique 80 rabattues verticalement vers le bas.The housing 12 of the switch, the upper face of which is open, is closed by a metal cover 80 which constitutes a cage fitted elastically onto lugs 82 formed on the rear lateral and transverse faces of the housing 12 and which are received in windows 83 formed in legs 84 of the metal cover 80 folded vertically downwards.

La patte arrière 84, à gauche en considérant la figure 3, se prolonge par une borne 86 permettant de compléter les moyens de fixation par soudage du commutateur 10 sur une plaque à circuit imprimé et de relier le couvercle 80 au circuit de masse de manière qu'il constitue une protection contre les perturbations électrostatiques.The rear tab 84, on the left when considering FIG. 3, is extended by a terminal 86 making it possible to complete the fixing means by welding the switch 10 on a printed circuit board and connect the cover 80 to the ground circuit so that it constitutes protection against electrostatic disturbances.

Le commutateur illustré sur les figures 1 à 5 est un commutateur qui est en position normalement fermée, c'est-à-dire que, en position de repos du poussoir 14 qui est sollicité par le ressort 44 et dans laquelle un des bossages 28 est en appui contre l'extrémité axiale 34 de la rainure 30, le contact électrique entre les éléments de contact fixes 50 et 52 est établi par le contact mobile 62.The switch illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a switch which is in the normally closed position, that is to say that, in the rest position of the pusher 14 which is biased by the spring 44 and in which one of the bosses 28 is bearing against the axial end 34 of the groove 30, the electrical contact between the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 is established by the movable contact 62.

Comme cela est illustré à la figure 4A, les lames élastiques déformables 68 et 70 sont alors dans une position précontrainte contre les pattes formant rampes 58 et 60 des éléments de contact fixes 50 et 52 et appliquent ainsi à l'élément de contact mobile 62, et donc au poussoir 14, un effort élastique tendant à le solliciter dans le sens de l'ouverture du contact et à l'encontre de l'effort de rappel qui lui est appliqué par le ressort cambré 44.As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the deformable elastic blades 68 and 70 are then in a pre-stressed position against the tabs forming ramps 58 and 60 of the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 and thus apply to the movable contact element 62, and therefore to the pusher 14, an elastic force tending to urge it in the direction of opening the contact and against the return force applied to it by the cambered spring 44.

On décrira maintenant le mode de fonctionnement du commutateur de détection de présence d'une carte en se reportant notamment aux figures 4A, 4B et 5.The mode of operation of the card presence detection switch will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5.

Sur la figure 5, on a représenté un premier diagramme D1 illustrant la valeur de l'effort élastique de rappel appliqué au poussoir 14 par le ressort cambré 44 en fonction de la course de déplacement du poussoir 14 entre sa position de repos C0, la position C1 de déclenchement du commutateur, c'est-à-dire la position d'ouverte du contact électrique, et la position de fin de course C2.FIG. 5 shows a first diagram D1 illustrating the value of the elastic return force applied to the pusher 14 by the cambered spring 44 as a function of the movement stroke of the pusher 14 between its rest position C0, the position C1 for triggering the switch, that is to say the position for opening the electrical contact, and the end position C2.

Le second diagramme D2 représente la valeur de l'effort élastique appliquée au poussoir 14 par les lames déformables 68 et 70 du contact mobile 62 entre la position de repos du poussoir et la position d'ouverture du contact C1 dans laquelle les lames 68 et 70 ne sont plus précontraintes par les pattes 58 et 60 et n'appliquent plus aucun effort élastique au poussoir 14.The second diagram D2 represents the value of the elastic force applied to the pusher 14 by the blades deformable 68 and 70 of the movable contact 62 between the rest position of the pusher and the open position of the contact C1 in which the blades 68 and 70 are no longer prestressed by the tabs 58 and 60 and no longer apply any elastic force to the pusher 14.

Enfin, le diagramme D3 est le diagramme résultant correspondant à la somme des diagrammes D1 et D2 qui illustre la valeur de l'effort élastique de rappel résultant appliquée au poussoir 14 en fonction de la course de déplacement de ce dernier par rapport au boîtier 12 entre les positions C0 et C2.Finally, the diagram D3 is the resulting diagram corresponding to the sum of the diagrams D1 and D2 which illustrates the value of the resulting elastic return force applied to the pusher 14 as a function of the movement stroke of the latter relative to the housing 12 between positions C0 and C2.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 5, la valeur de l'effort résultant de rappel du poussoir 14 est initialement pratiquement nulle puis passe par un maximum Fmax correspondant sensiblement à la position de déclenchement C1 du commutateur 10, puis décroît rapidement pour atteindre une valeur résiduelle de seuil inférieur Fmin qui correspond à la valeur résiduelle de la force de répulsion appliquée par le commutateur 10 à la carte C après l'introduction de la carte.As can be seen in FIG. 5, the value of the force resulting from the return of the pusher 14 is initially practically zero then passes through a maximum Fmax corresponding substantially to the tripping position C1 of the switch 10, then decreases rapidly to reach a residual value of lower threshold Fmin which corresponds to the residual value of the repulsion force applied by the switch 10 to the card C after the introduction of the card.

Cette force résiduelle de répulsion peut être particulièrement faible et sa valeur est parfaitement maîtrisée par le choix du ressort cambré 44.This residual repulsion force can be particularly low and its value is perfectly controlled by the choice of cambered spring 44.

Du fait de l'ouverture du contact électrique au-delà de la position de déclenchement C1 et de la possibilité de déformer de manière importante la partie centrale cambrée 42 du ressort 44 dans l'évidement 49, il est possible de disposer d'une course supplémentaire importante C1 - C2 au-delà de la position de déclenchement C1 sans accroître la force résiduelle de répulsion Fmin appliquée à la carte.Due to the opening of the electrical contact beyond the tripping position C1 and the possibility of significantly deforming the arched central part 42 of the spring 44 in the recess 49, it is possible to have a stroke additional significant C1 - C2 beyond the trigger position C1 without increasing the residual repulsion force Fmin applied to the card.

Lorsque l'utilisateur retire la carte C, le ressort 44 reprend sa position cambrée de repos en accroissant progressivement la valeur de l'effort de rappel qu'il applique au poussoir 14 en approchant de la position de commutation correspondant alors à l'établissement du contact électrique entre les contacts fixes 50 et 52.When the user withdraws the card C, the spring 44 resumes its arched rest position by gradually increasing the value of the restoring force which it applies to the pusher 14 as it approaches the position of switching then corresponding to the establishment of the electrical contact between the fixed contacts 50 and 52.

La venue en contact des extrémités 76 et 78 des lames déformables élastiquement 66 et 70 avec les rampes 58 et 60 des éléments de contact fixes 50 et 52 provoque à nouveau la création d'un effort élastique opposé qui aboutit à un effort résultant quasiment nul appliqué au poussoir dans sa position de repos C0.The coming into contact of the ends 76 and 78 of the elastically deformable blades 66 and 70 with the ramps 58 and 60 of the fixed contact elements 50 and 52 again causes the creation of an opposite elastic force which results in an almost zero resulting force applied to the pusher in its rest position C0.

Dans la variante de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 6, le poussoir 14 comporte une patte de déclenchement 88 qui fait saillie verticalement à travers une lumière longitudinale 90 du couvercle 80 du commutateur 10 de manière à permettre l'agencement de ce dernier sous le plan de la carte et à provoquer l'actionnement du poussoir 14 par la coopération du bord antérieur 16 de la carte C avec la patte 88 du poussoir.In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the pusher 14 has a trigger tab 88 which projects vertically through a longitudinal opening 90 of the cover 80 of the switch 10 so as to allow the arrangement of the latter under the plane of the card and to cause actuation of the pusher 14 by the cooperation of the front edge 16 of the card C with the tab 88 of the pusher.

La conception selon l'invention est particulièrement avantageuse en ce qu'elle permet de réaliser un commutateur de présence d'une carte de très petites dimensions dont la longueur totale est d'environ 7 mm et l'épaisseur est de 1,5 mm avec une course de déclenchement C1 = 0,3 mm, une course totale C2 = 1,3 mm et une force résiduelle de répulsion Fmin < 0,2 N.The design according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to produce a switch for the presence of a card of very small dimensions, the total length of which is approximately 7 mm and the thickness is 1.5 mm with a tripping stroke C1 = 0.3 mm, a total stroke C2 = 1.3 mm and a residual repulsion force Fmin <0.2 N.

Du fait de la présence d'une course supplémentaire C1-C2 relativement importante, le commutateur selon l'invention peut très facilement être monté selon la technique du report à plat et par une machine de mise en oeuvre automatique de cette technique sans nécessiter un positionnement du commutateur sur une carte à circuit imprimé dont la précision dépasserait celle de la précision de positionnement des composants par ce type de machine.Due to the presence of a relatively large additional C1-C2 stroke, the switch according to the invention can very easily be mounted according to the flat transfer technique and by an automatic machine for implementing this technique without requiring positioning. of the switch on a printed circuit board whose precision would exceed that of the positioning accuracy of the components by this type of machine.

Claims (11)

Commutateur électrique (10) du type comportant un poussoir de déclenchement (14) qui est monté coulissant dans un boîtier de commutateur (12), un élément de contact mobile (62) qui est lié au poussoir (14) et qui coopère avec au moins un élément de contact fixe (50, 52) porté par le boîtier (12) du commutateur, et des moyens de rappel élastique (44, 62) du poussoir (14) vers une position stable de repos dont la valeur de la force de rappel (F) diminue lorsque la course d'actionnement (C) du poussoir (14) dépasse une valeur prédéterminée (C1), caractérisé en ce que la dite valeur prédéterminée (C1) de la course correspond au déclenchement du commutateur.Electric switch (10) of the type comprising a release button (14) which is slidably mounted in a switch housing (12), a movable contact element (62) which is connected to the button (14) and which cooperates with at least a fixed contact element (50, 52) carried by the housing (12) of the switch, and elastic return means (44, 62) of the pusher (14) to a stable rest position, the value of the return force (F) decreases when the actuating stroke (C) of the pusher (14) exceeds a predetermined value (C1), characterized in that said predetermined value (C1) of the stroke corresponds to the triggering of the switch. Commutateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la valeur de la force de rappel (F) augmente puis diminue lors de la course d'actionnement en passant par un maximum (Fmax) correspondant au déclenchement du commutateur.Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the value of the restoring force (F) increases then decreases during the actuation stroke passing through a maximum (Fmax) corresponding to the triggering of the switch. Commutateur selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de rappel élastique comportent au moins un ressort de rappel (44) disposé entre le poussoir (14) et le boîtier du commutateur (12) et qui sollicite le poussoir (14) vers sa position stable de repos.Switch according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic return means comprise at least one return spring (44) disposed between the pusher (14) and the switch housing (12) and which biases the pusher (14) to its stable rest position. Commutateur selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le ressort de rappel est un ressort hélicoïdal cambré (44) disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier (12) et qui s'étend selon une direction transversale sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction de déplacement du poussoir (14) dont une extrémité de déclenchement (40) coopère avec la partie centrale convexe (42) du ressort cambré (44).Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the return spring is a cambered helical spring (44) disposed inside the housing (12) and which extends in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pusher (14), one trigger end (40) of which cooperates with the convex central part (42) of the arched spring (44). Commutateur selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que chacune des extrémités (46) du ressort (44) est reçue dans un logement (48) dont l'axe est incliné par rapport à la direction de déplacement du poussoir (14) de façon à conférer au ressort (44) une cambrure stable au repos dont la convexité (42) est tournée vers l'extrémité de déclenchement du poussoir (14).Switch according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the ends (46) of the spring (44) is received in a housing (48) whose axis is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher (14) so as to give the spring (44) a camber stable at rest whose convexity (42) is turned towards the trigger end of the pusher (14). Commutateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le contact mobile (62) comporte au moins une lame de contact déformable élastiquement (68, 70) dont une extrémité libre (76, 78) coopère avec l'élément de contact fixe (50, 52) et qui, dans la position de repos du poussoir, exerce une force élastique sur le poussoir (14) opposée à la force exercée sur le ressort de rappel.Switch according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the movable contact (62) comprises at least one elastically deformable contact blade (68, 70) of which a free end (76, 78) cooperates with the element fixed contact (50, 52) and which, in the position of rest of the plunger, exerts an elastic force on the plunger (14) opposite to the force exerted on the return spring. Commutateur selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la lame de contact (68, 70) s'étend selon une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction de coulissement du poussoir (14) et en ce que son extrémité libre (76, 78) coopère avec une rampe (58, 60) formée sur le contact fixe (50, 52) qui est inclinée par rapport à la direction de déplacement du poussoir (14).Switch according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact blade (68, 70) extends in a direction substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the pusher (14) and in that its free end (76, 78) cooperates with a ramp (58, 60) formed on the fixed contact (50, 52) which is inclined relative to the direction of movement of the pusher (14). Commutateur selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, caractérisé en ce que, dans la position de repos du poussoir, l'extrémité libre (76, 78) de la lame de contact déformable élastiquement (68, 70) est en contact électrique avec l'élément de contact fixe (50, 52) de manière à appliquer au poussoir (14) une force élastique opposée à celle qui lui est appliquée par le ressort de rappel (44).Switch according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that, in the rest position of the pusher, the free end (76, 78) of the elastically deformable contact blade (68, 70) is in electrical contact with the fixed contact element (50, 52) so as to apply to the pusher (14) an elastic force opposite to that which is applied to it by the return spring (44). Commutateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il présente une symétrie de conception par rapport à un plan médian passant par l'axe de déplacement du poussoir (14).Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a design symmetry with respect to a median plane passing through the axis of movement of the pusher (14). Commutateur selon la revendication 9 prise en combinaison avec l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisé en ce que le contact mobile (62) comporte deux lames de contact déformables élastiquement (68, 70) agencées symétriquement de part et d'autre du corps (24) du poussoir (14).Switch according to claim 9 taken in combination with any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the movable contact (62) comprises two elastically deformable contact blades (68, 70) arranged symmetrically on either side of the body (24) of the pusher (14). Commutateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, pour la détection de la présence d'une carte (C) dans un dispositif de lecture des informations contenues par la carte, notamment d'une carte à mémoire électronique, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité d'actionnement (18, 88) du poussoir (14) fait saillie à l'extérieur du boîtier (12) pour coopérer avec le bord transversal antérieur (16) de la carte perpendiculaire à la direction (I) d'introduction de la carte, le poussoir (14) de déclenchement étant monté coulissant selon une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction (I) d'introduction de la carte.Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, for detecting the presence of a card (C) in a device for reading the information contained by the card, in particular from an electronic memory card, characterized in that the actuating end (18, 88) of the pusher (14) protrudes outside the housing (12) to cooperate with the front transverse edge (16) of the card perpendicular to the direction (I) of introduction of the card, the trigger (14) being slidably mounted in a direction substantially parallel to the direction (I) of introduction of the card.
EP94402456A 1993-11-09 1994-10-31 Electronic switch in particular for the detection of the presence of an IC card in a card reader Expired - Lifetime EP0653719B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9313334A FR2712414B1 (en) 1993-11-09 1993-11-09 Switch for detecting the presence of an electronic memory card in a card reading device.
FR9313334 1993-11-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0653719A1 true EP0653719A1 (en) 1995-05-17
EP0653719B1 EP0653719B1 (en) 1999-07-07

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ID=9452665

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94402456A Expired - Lifetime EP0653719B1 (en) 1993-11-09 1994-10-31 Electronic switch in particular for the detection of the presence of an IC card in a card reader

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5597990A (en)
EP (1) EP0653719B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69419386T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2136179T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2712414B1 (en)

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WO1997007481A1 (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-02-27 Smartdiskette Gmbh Pocket interface unit (piu) for a smart diskette
EP0803831A3 (en) * 1996-04-24 2000-08-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh IC-card reader
EP3333756A1 (en) * 2016-12-06 2018-06-13 Thomson Licensing Apparatus and method of reducing movement of an insertable device during temperature cycles

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DE19743937B4 (en) * 1997-10-04 2006-03-02 Ddm Hopt + Schuler Gmbh & Co. Kg Contacting device for a SIM card
EP3928813A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-12-29 TecMed AG Wearable drug delivery device
EP3928814A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-12-29 TecMed AG Wearable drug delivery device
EP3928811A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-12-29 TecMed AG Wearable drug delivery device
EP3928812A1 (en) 2020-06-23 2021-12-29 TecMed AG Wearable drug delivery device

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FR2468197A1 (en) * 1979-10-23 1981-04-30 Itt QUICK ACTION PUSH BUTTON SWITCH
GB2155240A (en) * 1984-02-17 1985-09-18 Craig & Derricott Limited Electrical switches
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US3261955A (en) * 1964-02-19 1966-07-19 Mayfair Molded Products Corp Switches embodying spring loaded actuating button means
FR2468197A1 (en) * 1979-10-23 1981-04-30 Itt QUICK ACTION PUSH BUTTON SWITCH
GB2155240A (en) * 1984-02-17 1985-09-18 Craig & Derricott Limited Electrical switches
FR2665027A1 (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-01-24 Itt Composants Instr CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRONIC MEMORY CARDS.

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997007481A1 (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-02-27 Smartdiskette Gmbh Pocket interface unit (piu) for a smart diskette
EP0803831A3 (en) * 1996-04-24 2000-08-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh IC-card reader
EP3333756A1 (en) * 2016-12-06 2018-06-13 Thomson Licensing Apparatus and method of reducing movement of an insertable device during temperature cycles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0653719B1 (en) 1999-07-07
DE69419386D1 (en) 1999-08-12
FR2712414B1 (en) 1996-01-12
FR2712414A1 (en) 1995-05-19
DE69419386T2 (en) 2000-02-24
ES2136179T3 (en) 1999-11-16
US5597990A (en) 1997-01-28

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